Direction indicator



Oct. 26 1926.

A. SLATEN DIRECTION INDICATOR Filed Jilly 24, 1925 8 17227027202- 1448567 (SLATE/V Jforwey Patented ()ct. 26, 1926.

U N I T E D "S TA TQES ALBERT SLATER, OF MINNEAPOLIS, ll'lIINlblESO'JJA.

DIRECTION INDICATOR.

Application filed July 24, 1925. Serial No. 45,822.

This invention relates to direction indicators for motor vehicles and the main object is to provide a practical and efiicient extensible signalling device and means of a novel nature for extending and retracting the same. Further and more specific objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the upper left hand corner of a motor vehicle, showing the application thereto of any improved indicator, the samebeing in a closed position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the indicator in its extended position.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, as seen sub stantially on the line 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 is a fractional detail view as seen from the rear or inside of the car.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation about as on the line 55 in Fig.4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing the construction of the signal hand.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation as on the line 77 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the signal, as shown in Fig. 1, but with certain parts removed, to show the interior construct-ion.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the signal arm showing the signal hand attached.

Fig. 10 is an elevation showin the construction of the device by which t e hand is attached.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view showing the lighting connection.

Referring to the drawing more particularly and by reference characters, A designates the frame of a motor vehicle having the usual front wind shield B.

Upon one side of the frame is rigidly and permanently secured a guard or casing 12 to which is hingedly secured a shutter or flap 13, which isnormally held closed by springs 14. A shaft 15 is journaled in the members A and 12 and to its front or outer end is secured a substantially hollow arm 16. In the outer end of the arm 16 is pivotedly secured, as by a shaft 17, a block 18, on which is frictionally secured a hollow hand shaped member 19, the sides of which are provided with slots 20, to receive the shaft 17. A light 21 is supported by the block 18 and may be reached for. adjustment or a new one substituted by the hand from the block.

The hand 19 is formed of sheet metal and either glass or celluloid windows 22 and 23. The metal portion is bent and curved, as shown, to simulate the shape of a hand having a pointing finger, and has inwardly bent continuously formed flanges 21 to hold the windows in. The windows are held out against these flanges by a strap iron member 25 which follows the contour of and lies adjacent to the outer strip of metal.

The inner end of the shaft 15 is provided with a crank 26 by which the arm 16 may be operated. This crank has a pin 27 which merely pulling off is in contact with a spring segment 28 se-,

cured on the frame A. This segment normally presses outwardly against the pin, but may be readily disengaged therefrom by the operator pressing against an extension 29. When the arm 16 is in the vertical position, shown in Fig. 1, the crank 26 is in sucha position thatthe pin 27 will be locked in a small hole-8O (see Fig. A). Now, when the operator desires to extend the signal, as when turning to the left, he merely pushes the finger piece forward to release the pin 27. A spring 31, on the arm 16, by engaging in the right side channel of the member 12 now moves the arm 16 outward ly, from which position it soon falls to its horizontal position. The crank 26 is then in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 41.

The segment 28 is also provided with an intermediate notch or catch 32, for receiving the pin 27, when it is desired to support the signal arm and hand in the intermediate or parking position, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The position and direction of the hand 19 with respect. to the arm 16 is determined by a flexible cord 33, one end of which is secured to the block 18 and the other end to the casing 12. As the arm 16 is dropped from a vertical to a horizontal position the cord 83,- by operating over the curved inner end of the block 18 causes the hand 19 to assume the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2. When the arm 16 is raised the hand drops into it and the cord slackens. The block 18 is also provided with a pin 3% which stops against a pin or stop 35 in the case 12, when the arm, is raised, and thus prevents the hand from swinging out of the arm until the latter is released.

The light bulb 21 is grounded in its socket 36, in the usual manner, while its other terminal continues in a wire 37 which connects with an are shaped spring 38. This spring is arranged to make and break circuit with a wire 39 which leads to the battery or other source of electricity. The arm 16 is preferably provided with a slot 4L0, through which the wire 39 may extend and allow the necessary freedom of movement for the arm.

It is understood that suitable modifica= tions may be made in the general design and structural details of the invention as herein disclosed, provided that such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully shown and described my invention what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A direction indicator comprising a casing having a normally spring closed door, a vertically disposed arm pivotally mounted in the casing to swing outwardly therefrom and downwardly to open the door, a signal member pivotally mounted in the outer end of the arm and normally concealed therein, and a cable operatively connecting the signal member with the casing to automatically reveal the signal member when the arm is swung out from the casing.

2. A direction indicator for a motor vehicle comprising an arm pivotally secured at its lower end to the vehicle, and adapted to swing with its upper end outwardly for signaling purposes, a manually releasable spring member for normally retaining the arm in an upright position, and a second spring member associated with the arm for giving it an initial outward movement when released by the first spring member.

3. A direction indicator for a motor vehi cle comprising an arm pivotally secured at its lower end to the vehicle, and adapted to swing with its upper end outwardly tor sig naling purposes, a manually releasable spring member for normally retaining the arm in an upright position, and a second spring member associated with the arm for giving it an initial outward movement when released by the first spring member, and means for manually returning the arm to its normally vertical position.

4:. A direction indicator for a motor vehicle comprising an arm pivotallysecured at its lower end to the vehicle, and adapted to swing with its upper end outwardly for signaling purposes, a signaling member pivotally secured to the outer end of the arm and having a curved rear end, and a flexible cable connecting the signaling member with a stationary object and adapted to operate over said curved rear end.

5. The combination with a direction indicator, of a hollow signaling member having front and rear windows and a light be tween the same, a frame comprising a strap member following the edges of the windows and having outer flanges, and a second strap member within the frame for holding the windows outwardly against said flanges.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALBERT SLATEN.

til) 

